The actress reveals the toll of harassment she faced following her allegations against dance partner Giovanni Pernice, stating she aimed to create a safer environment for women in the industry.

Actress Amanda Abbington is making headlines once again as she asserts she has “no regrets” about her decision to lodge complaints against her former dance partner Giovanni Pernice on the 2023 season of Strictly Come Dancing. In a candid interview with BBC Newsnight, Abbington shared that her year has been marred by challenges, including receiving numerous threats aimed at her and her family. Her resolve to speak out, she believes, might pave the way for future generations of women to work in safer environments.

Abbingdon, known for her role in Sherlock, revealed the depth of her struggles over the past year. “It’s been one of the worst years of my life,” she admitted, highlighting that she had endured hundreds of rape and death threats during this tumultuous time. The ramifications extended beyond her, impacting her teenage daughter as well. “Some women have told me, ‘You’re paving the way for my daughter,'” Abbington noted, emphasizing the importance of her actions.

This week, the BBC upheld several of Abbington’s complaints against Pernice, categorizing them as instances of verbal bullying and harassment. However, they cleared him of any physical aggression. While the specifics of the complaints remain under wraps, a source disclosed to the BBC that the findings of the investigation revealed significant verbal misconduct. Pernice expressed relief that the most serious allegations against him had not been substantiated.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Abbington said, “I’ve been through a lot; women go through a lot. But it has been a very unpleasant, turbulent, relentless time in my life.” Her interview underscored the severity of the threats she faced, including a credible death threat while she was performing in a play at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park. “I had a credible death threat sent to my place of work… The police had to be called,” she recounted. The intensity of these threats shocked her: “I had a bomb threat sent to my place of work, threatening to blow the building up because I was pursuing this.”

Abbington’s experiences in the rehearsal room were equally alarming. She described a grueling environment where verbal abuse became the norm. “There was a 35-minute rant at me,” she recalled, detailing how Pernice directed a stream of insults at her during their time together. “This went on for seven hours a day for seven weeks,” Abbington said, capturing the harsh reality of her experience on the show.

Despite the turmoil, Abbington maintains her affection for Strictly Come Dancing. “I never wanted to cause trouble,” she stated. “All I did was experience something in a workplace environment that was actually on a show run by a corporation owned by the public.” She expressed her desire to ensure no one else would have to endure similar treatment.

As Abbington navigates the aftermath of the complaints, she has encountered challenges with the BBC’s handling of the investigation. “There’s a 30-page report me and my lawyers are still digesting,” she explained, emphasizing that unresolved issues still linger. A spokesperson for Pernice echoed that they were unable to comment further on the report due to the BBC’s confidentiality request.

In response to the allegations, the BBC affirmed their commitment to addressing bullying and harassment, stating, “We have assessed the complaints and upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made.” They issued an apology to Abbington, acknowledging the difficulty of her decision to come forward.

Since the incident, Abbington has continued to draw public attention, especially after the launch of a new series of Strictly on BBC One last month. Giovanni Pernice, however, will not be part of the professional lineup for this new series and has instead joined Italy’s equivalent show, Ballando con le Stelle.

The BBC has introduced new measures in light of the complaints, including the appointment of chaperones in all rehearsal spaces and the addition of two new welfare producers. These steps aim to create a safer environment for contestants, ensuring that the spirit of the show can thrive while maintaining respect and dignity for all involved.

As the fallout from this incident continues, Abbington remains steadfast in her mission to shine a light on workplace harassment, making it clear that the fight for a safer, more respectful environment in entertainment is far from over.